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Date Time Competition Season
1 May 2022 3:00 pm AIL Division 1A 2021/22

Match Report

1A Final – Clontarf edge Terenure in tight battle

Clontarf were named Division 1A Champions after a 29-23 victory over Terenure at the Aviva Stadium today.

It was an action-packed game from the very first whistle with Conor Kelly and Caolan Dooley exchanging penalties inside the first quarter of an hour, giving Clontarf a 6-3 lead.

Clontarf opted for a slower ball at the breakdown while Terenure looked to play at a high tempo through quick ball. After Terenure enjoyed possession inside the Clontarf half, they found the first try of the game after Peter Sylvester ran a great line off the back of a lineout.

Dooley converted to extend their advantage.

Shortly after, the Terenure place kicker added another three points from distance to stretch their lead.

Clontarf’s slow ball frustrated Seán Skehan’s side, leading to several penalties from Conor Kelly to bring his side back into the game. Dooley added another penalty for Terenure with five minutes remaining in the half to give his side a slender, one point lead but Clontarf struck right on the cusp of half time.

After patient build up play and phases of possession, tighthead Ben Griffin drove over from close range to find Tarf’s first try of the game. Kelly converted to give the Castle Avenue a six-point lead at the break.

Clontarf began the second period the brighter of the sides and found their reward just after the 48th minute mark. Dylan Donnellan scored his 19th try of the season off the back of a strong maul which Terenure struggled to stop.

Conor Kelly slotted the conversion over and increased his side’s advantage to 13 points.

The Lakelands outfit kept the pressure on Clontarf and after Colm De Buitlear came inches from scoring a try, Alan Bennie picked the ball off the back of the ruck and dived over the try line.

Caolan Dooley was left with a difficult angle to convert from, but he made it look easy and brought the score to 29-23.

Terenure’s replacements really caused Clontarf trouble with the likes of Conall Bloomer, Adam Tuite and Conor McCormack making massive contributions with their ball carrying ability and strength from the breakdown.

Clontarf continued to soak up the Terenure pressure and kept their six point lead to be named Energia All Ireland Division 1A Champions.

Clontarf

15Tadhg Bird Full-Back
14Michael Brown Winger
13Michael Courtney Centre
12Matt D’Arcy Centre
11Cian O’Donoghue 20 Winger
10Conor Kelly 23 Fly-Half 39', 49'
3', 13', 22', 28', 33'
9Angus Lloyd Scrum-Half
1Ivan Soroka 18 Prop
2Dylan Donnellan Hooker 48'
3Ben Griffin Prop 38'
4Fionn Gilbert 21 Lock
5Michael Kearney Lock
6Cormac Daly Flanker
7Adrian D’Arcy Flanker
8Tony Ryan No. 8
16Cathal O’Flynn
17Jonathon Phelan
18Darragh Bolger 1 Prop
19Andrew Feeney
20Andrew Smith 11 Winger
21Max Kearney 4
22Ed Kelly
23Conor Kearns 10

Terenure College

15Adam LaGrue Full-Back
14Caolan Dooley Winger 17', 60'
6', 20', 35'
13Colm de Buitlear Centre
12Peter Sylvester Centre 16'
11Craig Adams Winger
10Cathal Marsh Fly-Half
9Alan Bennie Scrum-Half 59'
1Dewald Barnard 18 Prop
2Levi Vaughan Hooker
3Andrew Keating 17 Prop
4Matthew Caffrey 19 Lock
5Michael Melia Lock
6Harrison Brewer Flanker
7Luke Clohessy 20 Flanker
8Jordan Coghlan No. 8
16Conor McEvoy
17Adam Tuite 3 Prop
18Conor McCormack 1 Hooker
19Mike Murphy 4 Lock
20Conall Boomer 7 Flanker
21James Thornton Fly-Half
22Sam Coghlan Murray
23Adam Melia Flanker

Past Meetings

(Round 15)
12 - 11
AIL Division 1A
Castle Avenue

Clontarf RFC v Terenure College RFC

(Round 4)
14 - 29
AIL Division 1A
Lakelands Park

Terenure College RFC v Clontarf RFC

Ground

Aviva Stadium
Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Sandymount, Pembroke West ED, Dublin, County Dublin, Leinster, D04 CA43, Ireland

Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.